Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Horseshoe Chain


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 60
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • IceHawk

    7

  • Eric

    7

  • duckslayer27

    5

  • Ralph Wiggum

    4

Good point hanson

Did you stay late enough on saturday to get into the pesky crapies too. wink.gif Glad to see you and your dad had a good bite out there too. See ya on the water

Link to comment
Share on other sites

so haaad,

How thick was the ice? Would like to run up there with the family Christmas afternoon.

Later,

Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Me and a friend went out their yesterday. First time fishing cats. Went to a sharp drop and looked around a little and found some on the depthfinder.

Then it was unbelievable. Looked a little more, found spot that showed 20 feet, until I turned the power down on the vex, then it showed 35. Punched some holes and dropped the camera down. The cats were so thick the vex couldn't shoot through them. There had to be hundreds of em. shocked.gif They didn't seem to interested in the bait though, but we did manage 8 between the two of us. That was one of the coolest things I ever saw. grin.gifgrin.gif

Any one else ever find them this thick?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

I have fished areas on the chain that are real similar. Cats winter in certain areas on the chain and you were probably in one of the areas they really school up. I call it danceing with the cats, quite the show on a underwater camera. I have had schools so thick that they literally run into each other. Cat fishing is a blast especially winter fishing for them. The chain is definately a pure cat meca and one of the few areas you can ice winter cats. As a request I ask all cat fisherman please keep some for a meal and release some back for the future. I know alot of people are tossing them on the ice etc. I have talked to the warden and he is looking into the problems etc. I personally have been working on this for years by showing and preaching to locals how the catfish is a important resource to our community etc. Cats are great tablefare and put up a excelllent fight and they are starting to find out. I have talked to alot of the locals who consider cats roughfish, and through time I hope they change their minds, respect the fish and enjoy what the chain has to offer and that's Cat-fishing at it's finest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well said IceHawk. The chain is a jem! I wish more people respected it. The walleye bite has been awsome too! You will catch little ones but those 20"s are nice surprises. I asked a gamewarden why I don't see the much on the chain. He said that "it's the land of 10,000 lakes and 25 wardens".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last FRiday we managed three nice cats and about a dozen small eyes in 21 to 27 feet....great day...tasty cats! don't waste 'em....eat 'em or release 'em!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure where to access ice from. My folks have a place at the ranch,EL RANCHO MANANA-only been up in the summer.. Is there anywhere to get on near Brinkys liquor store? Not looking for hotspots,just a place to get on the ice!! Any help would be great!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

BlaineBoB- There is a winter access off of Hwy 22 past the public access. Most people use this one and it's the best area to go on. If you turn off HWY 23 onto HWY 22 go about 2 miles or so on 22. Look on the the right side you will see where people go out it's across from the Cedar Island winter access. Don't venture out from Brinkys canal to reach Horseshoe there is unsafe ice out near the mudflats and the bridge!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are folks driving out there with trucks???

I plan on running out tomorrow afternoon, but I think I'll be making a long hike crazy.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

No they are not. The ice ranges from 8-10 inches. Foot travel is easy and safer right now. Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are recommending foot travel on the ice, but what is the real deal on ATV's? I read a couple of the posts saying there are folks out there on 4 wheelers, but are the ice conditions good to go for ATV's? An 8-10 inch average seems good for ATV's/sleds, but I don't know the ice conditions overall, that some of you others have found out there already.Like most forum users here, I am just looking to be safe on the ice, not inundate any one spot on the chain. Thanks for any feedback.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's one suggestion I would give you.... if you are unfamiliar with the chain, I would first go by foot. Typically the first time I go out I walk to find out the status of the ice. I tend to stay in one specific area and if I drive out the first time I am out there I will park a good distance from the area and go out and scout as to where the open spot is as I have seen it move over the years at least it seems as though it changes from year to year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am heading out to the chain this weekend. can any bdoy give me some advice as where to go to get into some cats or walleys,on cedar island or I guess anywhere on the chain. Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People were 4-wheeling on Horseshoe last week, but like Chemist and Icehawk suggested, use extreme caution if you do not know this waterbody. I walked out to the meth hole area from the 22 bridge. The walking was very easy because there's very little snow. However, there is still a little open water through most of the area between the islands that made it very tough to walk over. The actual meth hole is posted with signs again this year, so stay away if you see them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

People were 4-wheeling on Horseshoe last week, but like Chemist and Icehawk suggested, use extreme caution if you do not know this waterbody. I walked out to the meth hole area from the 22 bridge. The walking was very easy because there's very little snow. However, there is still a little open water through most of the area between the islands that made it very tough to walk over. The actual meth hole is posted with signs again this year, so stay away if you see them.


I echo what so haaad said. I walked from the bridge yesterday evening and there is still open water by the islands, so be very, very careful!

On a positive note, I picked up 4 walleye, 4 cats, a crappie, and a rock bass, so I had some fun. I had one cat at 26.5" and another at 24"--what fun!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out for a couple hours this evening in the rain. Ended up with 3 cats and 3 eyes. 12 inches of ice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

kinda off the subject of fishing but what is going on with lakeview resort? i heard the new owners are killing it? i hope there is no truth to this

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

The ice ranges from 8-10 inches. Foot travel is easy and safer right now.


Icehawk, you been out since the rain?

Was wondering about the access off 71 onto Cedar Island. Are there any trouble spots in that area out to the islands?

Thanks buddy! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Skeets- You will be fine most of the water found a home and the top is good again. The 71 access is in good shape just hug the W side. Are you familiar with the winter access off of Cedar Island Rd (the picket fence easment)this is the one I have been useing alot it makes the distance a little shorter. Good luck If your after what I think your after you will find them! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Are you familiar with the winter access off of Cedar Island Rd


Yes, I am. I just thought there was more parking room at the public access.

Quote:

just hug the W side


Do you mean the north side of the channel/deep hole?

Maybe see you out there sometime!

Thanks! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Yes your right Skeets. I got my directions mixed up. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      i cant help you with the weed thing, but i just came back form out that way......Regal, New London Hawick area. i dont no how big the swat of rain was but there is water standing everywhere. my buddy told me they had over 3 inches of rain yesterday/last night 
    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.